6 Tips for Grieving Through the Pandemic Holidays

For a lot of people, this holiday season is especially hard. Those who have lost a loved one during the pandemic have also had to face not being able to be with their loved one to say goodbye, not having services, as well as other challenges.

Not being able to have the comfort of community due to quarantining makes the journey even more difficult. Many have reached out to online/ social media support groups for people who are grieving during Covid.

Grief may come in different forms this holiday season. We hope you find some comfort in these ways to cope:

1. Plan ahead

Planning ahead keeps you in control. Decide what you want to do, and do it. And only that. You don’t have to do more than what you’re ready for.

2. Feel your feelings

Grief isn’t linear. Some days are fine. Some days are even surprisingly good. And sometimes it washes over you without notice.

The feelings will come. Let them.

Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Know that you’re dealing with loss as best you can.

3. Memorialize

Honor your loved one in your own way. It doesn’t have to be during holiday celebrations. Plan a special way of honoring them before or after. This helps alleviate feeling bad for celebrating the holiday itself.

Ex: Have a Zoom memorial where everyone writes their favorite thing about that person on a post-it and holds it up for everyone to see.

4. Create new traditions

For some people, it helps to maintain the same traditions through a loss. For others, it is difficult to do this. If you’re finding this hard, create a new tradition for you and your family. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Or take this year off from the holiday tradition, and bring it back next year or when you feel ready.

5. Do less

Grief can be exhausting – physically and emotionally. Consider doing less than you usually do. Maybe that means less decorating, no cards, or anything that feels like work. Less time spent on “things” means more time healing and connecting with your support base.

6. Seek professional help

Grief comes in waves. Sometimes it’s overwhelming and relentless. If you’re experiencing this, reach out to a mental health professional who specializes in grief and loss.

Need some therapist options? We got you. Check out our Black Mental Health Provider Database.

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